The Best Ferraris Of All Time

The 31 Greatest Ferraris Of All Time

There is only one Ferrari. The name is legend. What is now known as Ferrari S.p.A. began in pre-war Italy in 1929, in the small town of Maranello, by a man named Enzo Ferrari. The son of a carpenter, Enzo went into the automobile business after his family’s business collapsed. He raced for Alfa Romeo and ran their motorsports team before opening up his own shop, then known as Scuderia Ferrari (aka “Ferrari Stable.”) In 1940 they produced their first racecar, the Tipo 815, and in 1947 introduced the 125 S, their first production “street car” — albeit one powered by a V12 engine. Things moved quickly from there.

Since then Ferrari’s name has grown to become synonymous with superlative performance. They have more wins in Formula 1 than any other manufacturer. Their cars are more coveted by collectors than any other marque. Last year a 250 GTO sold for $52 million via private sale, while another sold for $32 million via auction; both are world records. And in August, a 375 Mille Miglia Scaglietti became the first post-war vehicle to take home Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance’s “Best In Show” award since 1968. It was the first Ferrari ever to claim the ultra prestigious award, but surely not the last.

In honor of this great marque, we decided to collect 31 of our favorite Prancing Horses from the history of the Ferrari Stables, and show them off here. While we decided to focus on streetcars, not strictly racecars, there certainly are many vehicles here that paid their dues on the track — many earning laurel wreaths along the way. The list isn't in any particular order, but we have early roadsters, proof-of-life prototypes, design concepts, mindboggling supercars and of course many GTs. We even threw in a Ferrari station wagon (yes, a station wagon!) for good measure. But enough talk — let’s get to breaking down AskMen’s 31 greatest Ferraris of all time. Enjoy!

Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio Concept (2013)

Ferrari

Other than “Enzo,” there is probably no name more inextricably tied to the legacy of Ferrari than Sergio Pininfarina. The legendary designer guided the look of the Prancing Horse for decades, designing numerous cars from this list (including the Dino, F40, P4/5, 275 GTB, 400 Superamericaand more). To honor his passing in 2012, his eponymous design house crafted this concept prototype on the framework of a 458 Spider. Debuted at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the Pininfarina Sergio roadster stole the show — its roofless, windshieldless design was simply breathtaking. Ferrari ended up building six “production” Sergios, though these roadgoing versions added a roof and windshield.

Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (1967)

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As a direct response to Lamborghini’s Miura, widely considered the world’s first supercar, everyone expected Maranello to respond with a similar mid-engine layout. Instead Ferrari did what it did best: front-engined, V12 Grand Tourers. The resulting 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” earned its name by sweeping the podium at the famed Florida track in 1967. It also gained mainstream shine when Sonny Crockett selected it as his vehicle-of-choice in the first two seasons of Miami Vice.

Ferrari F60 Enzo (2002)

Ferrari

When debuted in 2002, the gull-winged F60 “Enzo” was quite simply a vehicle that looked like it was teleported from the future. As it should be, given its nominal homage to the man who built the Prancing Horse. The Enzo featured much of Ferrari’s Formula 1 technology, including F1-style paddle shifters, carbon ceramic disc brakes and an ultra-rare carbon fiber tub — thus far only seen on a “street car” in the McLaren F1. Its 6.0-liter V12 featured continuously variable exhaust valve timing and bristled with 660 horses, allowing the Enzo to timewarp from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.

Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta (1948)

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For the 166 MM Barchetta, it’s all in the name. The Barchetta (aka “little boat”) referred to the roadster’s boat-like two-seat, open-air layout, while the “MM” homage winked at the legendary Mille Miglia race, where the car claimed the first two spots in 1949. Debuting at the 1948 Turin Motor Show, the idea of the 166 MM Barchetta was to finally begin to shape the Ferrari brand with a cohesive, unifying look — this included the soon-to-be-signature “egg-crate” grill and long, pontoon-like fenders. Only 25 of the 166 MM Barchettas were made, adding value to one of the first Ferraris ever.

Ferrari 410 Superamerica Carrozzeria Ghia (1956)

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Originally introduced at the 1955 Paris Auto Show as a naked chassis, the completed 410 Superamerica was unveiled just four months later at the Brussels Motor Show. While Pininfarina designed that body, vaunted coachbuilders Carrozzeria Ghia also designed their own variant. The wild looking GT — outfitted with garish fins and a sleek, submarine-like profile — was so otherworldly that Ghia was never asked to do another Ferrari again. Still, its rarity and experimental nature make it highly coveted.

Ferrari 308 GTS (1975)

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Almost everyone who was born in the 70s will associate Ferrari with the mustachioed charm of one Magnum P.I. When he wasn’t busy tweaking poor old Higgins, Magnum (aka Tom Selleck) could be seen traversing Oahu in the blood red Ferrari 308 — a gorgeous mid-engined stunner that wouldn’t shatter any speed records, but still boasted a 255-horsepower 2.9-liter V8. Magnum had the ultimate man’s life — saving ladies in distress, solving crimes, hopping around Hawaiian Islands with his boys T.C. and Rick — and the 308 was the red cherry on his ass-kicking sundae.

Dino 246 (1968)

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Some would argue that the Dino doesn’t deserve to be on this list, as it was never actually badged a “Ferrari”. We say those people are idiots. Named after Enzo’s late son Alfredo, the Dino was created when Formula Two rules changed, demanding all track vehicles be based on road-going production cars. Thus was born the 2.0-liter, V6-powered Dino. Designed by Sergio Pininfarina, the Dino is the first Ferrari with a mid-engine setup, a powertrain layout that would grow to become a cornerstone of the House of Maranello.

Ferrari 330 P4 Berlinetta (1967)

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Arguably one of the most stunning Ferraris of all time, the 330 P4was simply revolutionary for its period — the lines are so curvy and voluptuous, it's almost pornographic to look at. The 330 P4Berlinetta was built with a mandate: to beat Ford’s upstart GT40. Smarting from losing to the GT40 in the Constructor’s International Sports Prototype Championship in both 1965 and 1966, and watching the GT40 sweep the podium at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, Enzo instructed Mauro Forghieri, Ferrari’s legendary chief engineer, to simply win — which the 330 P4 did in 1967, sweeping its own podium at the 24 Hours of Daytona, taking the top two spots at Monza, and coming in second and third at Le Mans. Sure, they lost that race to another Ford GT40, but the points were enough for Ferrari to regain the Prototype Championship.

Ferrari 250 Spyder GT California GWB (1960)

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The Spyder California was born when a very influential dealer from Los Angeles requested Ferrari build a “simple spider” for his SoCal market, and Ferrari adhered. Although beautifully shaped from the clay of a 250 GT, and built to perform (aluminum hood, trunk and doors; 0-60 click of 4.5 seconds), the Spyder California is still to this day most famous for being the car that sent Ferris Bueller’s best friend Cameron into a state of apoplectic shock when he drove it out of his garage into a bucolic ditch far below. Only 50 were made, making the Spyder California a most rare treasure.

F70 LaFerrari (2013)

Ferrari

Compared with its electrically-enhanced hypercar competitors — the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 — the LaFerrari is by far the most otherworldly, and achingly beautiful. Oftentimes designing something next-level creates kitschy repercussions on the timelessness of the sheet metal, but the F70 manages to look like something from the future that is still ultimately classic. Ferrari has dubbed the F70 the "maximum expression of excellence", and it would be very hard to argue. The LaFerrari mates a 161-hp electric motor with a 6.3-liter naturally aspirated 789-hp engine — adding up to a mind-boggling 950 horses tucked into a carbon fiber and Kevlar tub. What’s next in Ferrari’s vaunted F line? Proton thrusters and a wave motion gun?

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (1956)

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One of the most famous and coveted Ferraris of all time, the Testa Rossa — aka “red head” — was named after the crimson-tipped valve covers on the 3.0-liter V12 engine. Despite winning several 24 Hours of Le Mans races (1958, 1960 and 1961), the unique curvaceousness of the Testa Rossa proved initially polarizing. In our humble opinion, the swollen pontoon fenders make the happy roadster one of the shapeliest Ferraris ever. Only 34 were ever made, helping the Testa Rossa command dollars second only to the 250 GTO. Oh, and it inspired Speed Racer’s Mach 5 racecar.

Ferrari Rossa By Pininfarina (2000)

Ferrari

Unveiled in 2000, the Rossa concept car was built to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Pininfarina design house. Crafted on the platform of a 550 Maranello, the roofless two-seat roadster is essentially a futuristic interpretation of Ferrari Spyders from the 1950s. Although quite wild looking, and a bit over-the-top for Ferraristi purists, the Rossa did introduce some design cues that would make their way onto future road cars — such as the tail lights soon to be seen on the F430 and F60 Enzo.

Ferrari F40 (1987)

Ferrari

The last vehicle to leave the Ferrari factory built entirely under the guidance of Enzo, the F40 is legendary on multiple tiers. It is the pure brutality of Ferrari distilled into arguably the most visceral car of its era — the direct response to Enzo’s request that his engineers craft “the best car on the face of the Earth.” Built with expensive lightweight composites lifted from Ferrari’s F1 experience (allowing the supercar to weigh in at only 2,700 lbs), the F40 also featured Ferrari’s last artificially boosted engine until the 2015 California T. Its twin-turbocharged V8 pushed the F40 past the 200 mph threshold —the first Ferrari ever to do so. Thank the top speed for necessitating the absurdly large rear spoiler, an uncharacteristically brash adornment necessary to keep the F40 from attaining lift-off.

Ferrari Testarossa 512 TR (1991)

Ferrari

While the somewhat vintage 1972 Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 was Sonny Crockett’s first car on Miami Vice, the Testarossa replaced it in season three and flipped the decade on its head. Along with its hero status in the iconic video game OutRun, the Testarossa ushered in a new generational lust for the Prancing Horse. Somehow, this incredibly wide, low and fast Ferrari could steal a scene from Don Johnson’s pastel outfits — largely thanks to the hairclipper-like side strakes on the profile. While all Testarossas are lust-worthy, the later 512 TR Special Edition boosted horsepower to 428 (up from 390), and shaved its 0-60 mph time down to 4.9 seconds (from 5.2).

Ferrari F430 Scuderia (2004)

Ferrari

Volume selling isn’t necessarily a good thing — one need look no further than the Twilight franchise, or Taco Bell’s beefy chalupa supremes. But when it comes to Ferrari, the fact that the F430 is their best selling car ever certainly carries some weight. Featuring a 503-horsepower V8 that screams like the charging Valkyrie, superlative traction control and the special edition Scuderia’s F1-developed electronic differential, you have a Ferrari that is widely regarded as one of Maranello’s best-performing production cars.

250 GTO (1962)

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Originally envisioned as a response to one-up Jaguar’s E-Type — which debuted at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show — the 250 GTO is quite simply the apotheosis of Ferrari obsession. Starting with a 250 SWB as the base, engineer Giotto Bizzarrini retuned the 3.0-liter 12-cylinder engine to reach 300 horsepower (and a 170 mph top speed), swapped a five-speed transmission in place of the four, and lightened and strengthened the chassis. The result? One of the great racers of its era, winning three consecutive FIA world championships in its class from 1962-64. The 250 GTO is also the most valuable car on Earth, cashing in for a record $52 million in 2013. Only 39 were ever built, each sale personally approved by Enzo himself.

Ferrari Mansory F12 La Revoluzione (2013)

Ferrari

One of the more polarizing cars in the Ferrari stable, the F12 Berlinetta is undeniably one of the best all around supercars in the world — especially for a front-engined, RWD grand tourer. As with all Ferraris, Maranello engineers preferred to tweak the F12 Berlinetta’s aerodynamics not by adding massive spoilers and splitters, but rather by boring channels and comely air vents. Mansory’s F12 La Revoluzione takes the superlative supercar and dials it up to 11, boosting the 6.3-liter 12-cylinder’s horsepowerfrom an already potent 730 horses to a jaw-slacking 1,200. They also replace all body panels with carbon fiber ones, glossed in a transparent “Revoluzione Red” color that lets the gorgeous carbon weave shine through.Yours for only $1.5 million.

Ferrari 400 Superamerica Coupé Speciale (1959)

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While the somewhat vintage 1972 Daytona Spyder 365 GTS/4 was Sonny Crockett’s first car on Miami Vice, the Testarossa replaced it in season three and flipped the decade on its head. Along with its hero status in the iconic video game OutRun, the Testarossa ushered in a new generational lust for the Prancing Horse. Somehow, this incredibly wide, low and fast Ferrari could steal a scene from Don Johnson’s pastel outfits — largely thanks to the hairclipper-like side strakes on the profile. While all Testarossas are lust-worthy, the later 512 TR special edition boosted horsepower to 428 (up from 390), and shaved its 0-60 mph time down to 4.9 seconds (from 5.2).

Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso (1963)

Ferrari

The Lusso was essentially an ultra-luxe iteration of the 250 GT, set on coddling wealthy bums instead of clipping apexes. The last model of 250 GT generation, the Berlinetta Lusso offered more trunk space and luxury appointments — such as a wood and aluminum Nardi steering wheel, black leather-lined dashboard, disc brakes and polished Borrani wire wheels. Only 351 GT Berlinetta Lussos were ever made over a short 18-month production cycle — one famously landing in Steve McQueen’s Malibu garage.

Ferrari 458 Italia Speciale (2013)

Ferrari

The successor to the F430 surely had big scarpas to fill, and the jaw-droppingly gorgeous 458 Italia filled them with screaming glee. Sure it may have a special place in my heart as the first Ferrari I ever drove, but gushing critics worldwide agree that the Italia is nearly flawless (nearly flawless, as the first couple gears in the seven-speed double-clutch tranny can shift a bit brusquely). It is also a car of transition for Maranello, as the 458 is not only the first Ferrari without a manual transmission option, but it may also be the last Ferrari with a naturally aspirated V8. The 458’s replacement, the 488 GTB, will be turbocharged. The Speciale model features front and rear movable aerodynamic flaps, a modified 597-horsepower from the 4.5 liter V8, and a 0-60 mph time of just three seconds.

Ferrari 288 GTO (1984)

Ferrari

It would be hard to beat the lineage of the 288 GTO, the forebear of the asphalt-eviscerating F40, and a nominal homage to the legendary 250 GTO. Looking somewhat like the Magnum P.I.-driven 308, the 288 GTO was designed from the ground up for the track (Group B racing, to be exact). Part of that upgrade came via Ferrari bolting twin-turbochargers onto the 308’s naturally aspirated 2.9-liter V8, generating 400 horsepower. It also boasted Ferrari’s first use of composite materials, lending the coupe great rigidity and lightness. The power and slim beltline allowed the 288 GTO to reach 189 mph — the first “production” car ever to surpass 300 km/h, a supercar benchmark.

Ferrari FXX K (2015)

Ferrari

Built on the framework of the already celestial F70 LaFerrari hypercar, the $3 million (€2.5 million) FXX K is simply the ultimate expression of Ferrari’s halo vehicle. Never intended to be used in competition, the experimental vehicle could therefor be developed without compromise or compliance with homologation requirements. Crackling with 1,036 total horses (848 from the gas engine, plus 187 from the HY-KERS electric motor), the FXX K laps Ferrari’s 1.862-mile Fiorano test track a full five seconds faster than the “base” LaFerrari (1 minute 14 seconds). With all that speed, the FXX K requires active aero to keep its four tires planted, producing a staggering 1,200 pounds of downforce at peak. Only 40 FXX K’s will be made, and yeah, they’re all sold out. For the $3 mil you get two years of free Ferrari love, but after that you’ll have to pay a fee for support — just how much, nobody yet knows.

Ferrari F50 (1995)

Ferrari

Probably the least beloved of Ferrari’s ne plus ultra F line (288 GTO, F40, F50, F60 Enzo, F70 LaFerrari), the F50 nonetheless deserves to be held in high esteem. Unlike its twin-turbocharged predecessor, the F40, the F50 returned to a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V12 — this one developed from Ferrari’s 1990 F1 racecar (featuring an unprecedented five valves per cylinder). Only 349 of the screaming banshees were ever made, so demand remains high.

Ferrari 599 GTO Fiorano (2006)

Ferrari

Seeing as the 599 GTB used a 612-hp version of the F60 Enzo’s 6.0-liter V12 engine, it’s no surprise the Fiorano was the most powerful production car in the world during its heyday. Replacing the 575M Maranello, the Pininfarina-designed 599 GTB also introduced the world to design language that would work its way across the contemporary Ferrari line-up. While designer Frank Stephenson has received some flak for his work with McLaren, the 599 GTB Fiorano was widely lauded as one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made when it debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. A rare, high-performance 599 GTO variant featured a 208 mph top speed and 0-62 mph click under 3.3 seconds.

Ferrari SP12 EC “Eric Clapton” Edition (2012)

Ferrari

What do you get when you mix a 458 Italia with one of the greatest living guitar players? Why the SP12 EC — aka the “Slowhand” Ferrari. The one-off prototype — designed by Pininfarina and built via Ferrari's Special Projects program — takes a 458 Italia and adds design cues from the late 1970s 512 BB, one of Eric Clapton’s favorite Ferraris. Clapton paid an estimated £3 million ($4.6 million) for his toy.

Ferrari California T (2014)

Ferrari

Surprised the California snuck in here? Don’t be — the new “T” variant has elevated the once dismissed roadster into supercar status. We fell in love with the GT when we had it this spring, and there really is nothing else on the road like it: 552 horsepower, 196 mph top speed, 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, and a roof that drops in 14. And so comfy you could drive from Venice Beach to Portland and back.

Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer 512 (1976)

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Enzo was initially very resistant to building a mid-engine supercar, worried the high-performance setup would be too advanced for the average driver to handle. With rival Lamborghini’s groundbreaking Miura flourishing, Enzo finally conceded — and the results were the Berlinetta Boxer and non-Ferrari badged Dino. The BB changed course for Ferrari, replacing mid-engined sports cars for the front-engined V12 GTs they were known for — including the Daytona, which the BB succeeded (Modena wouldn’t craft another front-engine V12 until the mid-90s). The “512” edition, introduced in 1976, boosted horsepower to 360 (up from 344), and added dry sump lubrication, wider rear tires and a front splitter. Regardless of the edition the BB’s name is somewhat deceiving, given the engine is more of a flat V12 than a traditional boxer.

Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina (2006)

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The Ferrari P4/5 is a one-off design study by Pininfarina, custom built for finance scion James Glickenhaus. Crafted on the frame of an F60 Enzo, Pininfarina shaped the P4/5’s sheet metal to resemble what Ferrari’s famed P line from the ‘60s would look like if updated in the 21st century. The P4/5 was given to Glickenhaus at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elégance, with a reported cost of $4 million.

Ferrari 375 Mille Miglia Scaglietti “Ingrid Bergman” (1953)

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The 375 MMs were ultra-rare racecars produced in 1953, all one-offs, with only five known in existence. The most famous being the “Ingrid Bergman,” dubbed thusly because it was commissioned to coachbuilder Scaglietti by Italian director Roberto Rossellini for his famous wife. We witnessed this precise vehicle win the eminent Best in Show ribbon at last summer’s Concours d'Elegance — the first post-war vehicle to win the illustrious Pebble Beach award since 1968, and the first Ferrari ever to do so.

Ferrari 456 GT Venice (exact year unknown)

Ferrari

While the regular 456 is one of the more mundane Ferraris made, the ultra-rare 456 GT Venice is truly an eyebrow-raiser. Designed by Pininfarina for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, the 456 GT Venice is the only four-door station wagon (!) Ferrari has ever made, at a cost of about $1.5 million each. While seven 456 GT Venices were made, only six were bought by the Sultan's brother — leaving one unaccounted for.

Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Berlinetta (1967)

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The follow-up to the landmark 250 GTO clearly had its work cut out for it, so Enzo outfitted the 275 GTB/4 with Ferrari’s first independent rear suspension. The 3.3-liter “Colombo” V12 — the last iteration of head engineer Gioachino Colombo's short-block power plant — generated 280 horsepower, good for a 160 mph top speed. Its gorgeous Pininfarina-designed coachwork also became available in a droptop GTS model in 1964. Faye Dunaway famously referred to it as "one of those red Italian things" in The Thomas Crown Affair, a comment that apparently made an impact on Steve McQueen — her co-star bought one after completing the film.